NSW Government signs MOU to deliver wage deal

23 September 2025

The NSW Government has today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Health Services Union, bringing into effect the pay deal to increase wages and deliver benefits for more than 50,000 health workers across the state.

This MOU will provide an 8.5 per cent pay increase over two years to a range of NSW Health staff, including allied health workers, hospital cleaners, scientists, security officers, and patient transport officers.

These health workers will receive an increase of 4.0 per cent plus 0.5 per cent in superannuation backdated from 1 July 2025, and a 4.0 per cent increase from 1 July 2026. 

The agreement is consistent with the NSW Government's new Fair Pay and Bargaining Policy and delivers significant reforms to NSW Health Awards covered by the HSU.

These expanded benefits include:
  • payment of higher-grade duties beginning after 3 days or more instead of 5 days;
  • increased rest periods of 10 hours between rostered shifts, up from the current 8 hours; and
  • the requirement for 4 weeks' notice of roster changes, up from the current two weeks.

This MOU has been a collaborative approach by the NSW Government and the HSU to identify system changes, productivity outcomes, and benefits from Award reform.

The changes will make it easier to recruit and retain professional and general staff that are difficult to attract in regional communities. It will also provide rural and regional Districts with greater flexibility around to recruit staff with appropriate clinical qualifications to provide the care needed for their community.

Quotes attributable to Treasurer Daniel Mookhey:
“Delivering increased wages and benefits to more than 50,000 health workers is a major next step in repairing our state’s healthcare.

“These workers all play a crucial role in providing the people of NSW with the care they expect.

“We will continue to secure essential services by investing in the people who provide them.”

Quotes attributable to Health Minister Ryan Park:
“The signing of this MOU is a significant win for more than 50,000 health workers who will benefit from an 8.5 per cent pay rise and improved working conditions.

“The MOU deal forms part of the Minns Labor Government’s comprehensive plan to rebuild and strengthen healthcare across NSW.

“We are proud to engage productively with the Health Services Union, providing a clear pathway to deliver significant reform to NSW Health Awards that ensure our essential health workers receive fairer pay and conditions into the future.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis:
"This agreement is significant for over 50,000 dedicated health workers across NSW. The Govt worked in collaboration with the workforce to secure real wage growth and recognition for the vital roles allied health professionals, cleaners, scientists, security staff and patient transport officers play in keeping our health system running.

“The Minns Labor Government continues the work of rebuilding the state's essential services and reforming the industrial relations system.  

“That work began with the scrapping of the Coalition’s wages cap which was in place for 12 years, introducing a fairer, modern bargaining framework, setting up an Industrial court and amending the Industrial Relations Act to include a new Object to achieve gender equality in the workplace.”

Quotes attributable to NSW Health Secretary, Susan Pearce:
“NSW Health recognises and is deeply thankful for the outstanding commitment of all our people and the work they do every day to improve the lives of patients and the communities they serve.

“This agreement is a very positive outcome not just for many of our existing staff members but those who will join NSW Health in a wide variety of important roles.”

Quotes attributable to Health Services Union Secretary Gerard Hayes: 
“This MOU is a critical step towards recognising the value of tireless public health workers in New South Wales. It not only locks in more pay and better conditions, but paves the way for achieving Allied Health Award Reform.

"Our allied health workers have been held back by the same award for two decades, but their skills and roles in the state's health care system have evolved greatly. They are critical to the health of our state, and I commend the Ministry of Health for working with us to ensure our workers' true value is recognised."​